Pteridium (aquilinum)
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Tara Luna USDI NPS - Glacier National Park West Glacier, Montana 59936 (406) 888-7835 http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/azpmc |
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| Family Scientific Name: | Dennstaedtiaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Bracken fern family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Pteridium aquilinum (Linnaeus) Kuhn in Decken | ||
| Common Name: | Bracken fern | ||
| Species Code: | PTEAQU | ||
| Ecotype: | Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park | ||
| General Distribution: | Bracken fern, interpreted in the broad sense, is the most widely distributed plant species in the world; occurring on every continent except Antarctica. It inhabits open and closed forest, abandoned pastures, riparian and upland habitats; often forming thick extensive colonies. It currently has 2 recognized subspecies and 12 botanical varieties. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Time To Grow: | 5 Months | ||
| Target Specifications: | Stock Type: Container sporophyte Height: 15 cm, 5 to 7 mature fronds Caliper: n/a Root System: Fully developed root mass in container. | ||
| Propagule Collection: |
A unique characteristic of bracken fern is that the sterile (non-spore bearing frond) frond margins are covered by inrolled "false" indusium that contains no spores. On fertile fronds, spores are borne beneath the outer margins of leaflets and are covered with an indusium on one side and spores are protected by the inrolled pinnule margins on the other side. Collectors must be able to distinguish between fertile spore bearing fronds and non-fertile fronds. Immature spores appear as whitish to green. Mature sporangia are light tan turning to medium brown at maturity. Sporangia appear as dull brown and frayed when spores have already been shed. Collect spores just as theindusium begins to lift and spores become visible underneath. Cut fronds and place in paper envelopes during collection and transport. Use paper envelopes with folded edges. |
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| Propagule Processing: | Fronds are placed in a room without air movement, spore surface down on butcher paper. Spores will appear as a fine dust on the paper after several days of drying. | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: |
Collect spores from the surface of paper and surface sow in sterilized flats filled with sterile, finely milled peat moss that has been moistened with distilled water. Water spores with distilled water and seal flats with clear plastic wrap to seal in moisture and prevent fungal contamination. Place sealed flats in greenhouse set at 75/55 16/8 day/night temperature cycle. Germination of spores will occur after 7 days. The thread like germ filaments can be seen with the aid of a microscope and will appear as a fine green threads on the surface of the medium. |
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| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Spore germination and growth under greenhouse conditions for 2 to 3 months, followed by growth in the outdoor shadehouse for 6 months. | ||
| Establishment Phase: |
Spore germination of the spores occurs 7 days after sowing. The heart shaped prothalli continue to grow for 4 weeks. Examination of the prothalli under a microscope will reveal the presence of the reproductive structures; the antheridia (male) and archegonia (female), located along the margins and notch of the prothalli. At this stage, it is critical to maintain a thin film of water over the surface of the prothalli for fertilization to occur. It is critical to maintain sterile conditions during germination and establishment. Trays must be inspected for fungal contamination on a regular basis. If fungal contamination occurs, remove infected portions of the medium and treat trays with a highly diluted (1/4 recommended rate)fungicide drench. Treat with dilute fungicide only if prothalli are well developed. Reseal flats immediately and water only with distilled water. Once sporophytes appear, clear plastic is removed from the trays and asceptic conditions are no longer necessary. |
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| Length of Establishment Phase: | 1 month | ||
| Active Growth Phase: | Sporophytes with true leaves appeared 2 months after spore germination. Individual plants are transplanted from flats to pots when they are 4 cm tall. After establishment in the greenhouse, they are moved to the outdoor shadehouse in late spring. Plants are fertilized with controlled release Osmocote 13-13-13 NPK and Micromax micronutients mixed into medium. | ||
| Length of Active Growth Phase: | 3 months | ||
| Hardening Phase: | Plants are fertilized with 10-20-20 NPK liquid fertlizer in September and October. Plants are watered before winterization. | ||
| Length of Hardening Phase: | 1 month | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: |
Total Time To Harvest: 5 months Harvest Date: September Storage Conditions: Overwinter in outdoor shadehouse under insulating foam and snow. |
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| Length of Storage: | 5 months | ||
| Other Comments: | Bracken fern can also be grown by rhizome divisions. | ||
| References: | Flora of North America, Volume 2 Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms, FNA Editorial Committee, Oxford University Press, 1993. | ||
Citation:
Luna, Tara. 2008. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Pteridium aquilinum (Linnaeus) Kuhn in Decken plants USDI NPS - Glacier National Park West Glacier, Montana. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/01). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
